Where to Stay in Edinburgh: Old Town, New Town, Haymarket or Leith?

By PerkJolt Travel Desk

Edinburgh’s best hotel area depends on how you want to spend your days. The Old Town puts the Castle, Royal Mile and many first-visit sights close by; the New Town offers a central grid of shops, restaurants and transport; Haymarket is useful for rail, tram and west-end plans; and Leith brings a distinct waterfront neighborhood with a longer ride to the main Old Town sights. The center is compact, but hills, steps, cobbles and busy event streets matter. Choose from the actual hotel entrance and your daily routes, not from a map pin alone.

Pick the area that fits your trip

Old Town, Royal Mile and Grassmarket: Choose this area if the Castle, Royal Mile, National Museum of Scotland and Holyroodhouse lead your list. You can return to your room between sights and explore historic lanes on foot. The tradeoffs are steep slopes, steps, uneven paving, crowds and late activity on popular streets. Grassmarket is lively and picturesque, while a room directly above a busy pub or event route may be noisier. Ask the property about room orientation, lift access, steps and the nearest practical taxi drop-off if those details matter.

New Town and Princes Street: The Georgian streets north of Princes Street make a balanced base for shopping, restaurants and access to both sides of central Edinburgh. Waverley station sits just below the center, and tram stops at St Andrew Square and Princes Street connect toward the airport and Leith. Streets generally follow a more regular grid than the Old Town, although slopes and busy crossings remain. The area is convenient for short stays and for people arriving by train who want straightforward station access.

Haymarket and the West End: This is a practical choice for train arrivals at Haymarket, airport tram or bus connections, Murrayfield events and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. It sits west of the Castle and New Town; central attractions remain walkable for many visitors, but allow time and energy for the return uphill route. The tram and Lothian bus network offer useful alternatives. Haymarket can be a good value comparison when central festival-season rates rise, though availability and prices must be checked for your dates.

Leith and the Shore: Pick Leith if you want a neighborhood stay focused on the waterfront, restaurants and the Royal Yacht Britannia area, and are happy to ride the tram or bus into the center. Edinburgh Trams run from the airport through the city center toward Leith, Ocean Terminal and Newhaven. Staying here trades immediate access to Old Town sights for local evenings and a less monument-centered setting. Check the exact property’s distance from a tram stop and service conditions at the time of your visit.

Stockbridge: This village-like neighborhood north of the New Town suits a slower visit built around cafés, independent shops, the Water of Leith and nearby green spaces. It is not the closest base for a dawn start at the Castle, and the return walk from the center climbs. Use a bus or taxi if you want to save your legs. Edinburgh’s official neighborhood guide is useful for comparing these areas and their character. Forever Edinburgh neighborhood guide.

Verified hotel examples to compare

The following properties illustrate location choices rather than rankings. Compare current rates, cancellation terms, room size, noise, air conditioning, step-free routes and breakfast arrangements directly with each operator. A hotel’s general location description does not guarantee an accessible journey from the station or a particular room layout.

• Old Town — The Grassmarket Hotel: Forever Edinburgh lists the address as 94–96 Grassmarket, EH1 2JR, and describes it as five minutes from the Royal Mile and ten minutes from Waverley on foot. It suits a sightseeing-focused stay with restaurants and Castle views nearby; expect the Old Town’s slopes and busy evening atmosphere. Ask about room position if you are sensitive to street noise. Forever Edinburgh hotel profile and operator link.
• Old Town — Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre: The city tourism listing gives 80 High Street, Royal Mile, EH1 1TH, placing the hotel directly on the main historic route and within a short walk of the National Museum. This is a strong location for travelers who prioritize central access. Check the operator’s current room types, facilities, access details and rates before booking. Forever Edinburgh hotel profile and operator link.
• New Town / York Place — New Town Hotel: The hotel gives its address as 8 & 12 York Place, EH1 3EP. Its location page says York Place tram stop is about a three-minute walk and Waverley station about seven minutes; it also identifies nearby city parking. This is useful for train or airport-tram arrivals and for visitors who want a central New Town base. Confirm room and luggage arrangements with the hotel. New Town Hotel location and arrival details.
• Princes Street / Waverley — Old Waverley Hotel: At 43 Princes Street, EH2 2BY, the hotel’s contact page places it close to Waverley station and the St Andrew Square and Princes Street tram stops. This suits visitors who value a simple rail arrival and central shopping access. The Princes Street position is busy, so request information about street-facing rooms, lift access and sound conditions for your dates. Old Waverley Hotel location and transit details.
• Haymarket — The Haymarket Hotel: The operator lists six Victorian townhouses at 1–11 Coates Gardens, EH12 5LG. Its location page says the property is a short walk from Haymarket station and tram stop, with the Castle, Royal Mile and Old Town generally within a longer walk. This makes it a useful comparison for west-end stays and transport connections. The hotel states it has no private parking; check current street parking rules and rates if arriving by car. The Haymarket Hotel location page.

Airport and train connections

Edinburgh Trams link the airport with the city center, Haymarket and onward to Leith and Newhaven. The operator’s route page says Waverley station is a short walk from St Andrew Square rather than a tram stop at the station itself. Buy or validate tickets before boarding, and check the live route map, timetable and disruption notices for your travel date. Tram frequency and late-night operation can vary by time and service conditions. Edinburgh Trams route and stops.

Haymarket is served by rail and is also a tram interchange. Waverley is Edinburgh’s main central rail station. If arriving with heavy luggage, mobility needs or small children, compare the precise hotel door-to-door route and ask the property whether a vehicle can stop nearby. Historic closes may have stairs or restricted vehicle access even when a hotel appears close to a station on a map. For the airport journey, allow margin for tickets, platform access and service changes; verify real-time departure information with the operator rather than relying on a fixed transfer estimate.

One-, two- and three-day lodging plans

One day: Stay in or near the Old Town or central New Town to reduce check-in friction and keep sightseeing on foot. If arriving at Waverley, the New Town near St Andrew Square gives easy connections and a straightforward walk toward Princes Street, while the Old Town puts the Castle and Royal Mile at the doorstep. Pick the hotel whose entrance and luggage route best fit your arrival time; avoid a late cross-city transfer for a single night.

Two days: Keep one base in the center. Spend one day on the Castle, Old Town and National Museum, then the other around the New Town, Calton Hill or Stockbridge. Haymarket is also practical if you plan a Murrayfield event or need a rail connection. Moving hotels mid-stay usually consumes more time than it saves unless a specific late train, event or onward journey changes the calculation.

Three days: A central base still works well, with day three available for Leith, the Shore and Ocean Terminal, or a longer Stockbridge and Water of Leith outing. Staying in Leith for all three nights can suit travelers who value waterfront dining and do not mind using transit each day; first-time visitors with several Old Town bookings may prefer to stay centrally and visit Leith by tram. Check the return service for evening plans rather than assuming a late tram or bus.

Booking choices that matter

August’s Edinburgh festivals, Hogmanay, major rugby matches and large concerts can tighten availability and change traffic, prices and street access. Book early when your dates overlap a major event, and check whether your hotel lies on a parade, festival or road-closure route. If plans are uncertain, compare cancellation terms and the cost of changing dates.

Ask directly about lift access, step-free entrance, bathroom setup, hearing or visual support, luggage storage and whether a room has air conditioning if any of these are important. Edinburgh’s historic buildings can have unusual layouts, and a hotel’s accessible room may need to be requested in advance. Do not infer an accessible route from a transit stop’s proximity or from an online map.

For most first visits, choose the Old Town for historic sights or the New Town for a balanced central base and transport. Choose Haymarket for west-end and station convenience, Leith for a waterfront neighborhood stay, and Stockbridge for a quieter local rhythm. Before paying, verify the exact address, room conditions, current facilities, cancellation terms and the route from your arrival point with the hotel and transport operators.

Official area, hotel and transit sources

• Forever Edinburgh: neighborhood guide
• Forever Edinburgh: hotel listings
• New Town Hotel: location
• Old Waverley Hotel: contact and location
• The Haymarket Hotel: location
• Edinburgh Trams: route maps and stops
• ScotRail: airport connections